CD Player: "Love at First Listen" recommendation


Hi,

I was interested in opinions on (unmodified) CD players that you loved the very first time you heard it.

In other words, it was new to your ears (there was no "burn in" period).

Also, you knew you had to have it before you could feel pressure to like it just because of any of the following: 1) the high cost, 2) the perception of the particular brand, 3) peer pressure, or 4) connection to the manufacturer or store.

Any price (but under $4K)

Thanks!
darsue
BAT VK-D5, 7 or 8 years ago. First time that a cd player 'stunned' me with it's performance.
Raysonic CD 128. A friend raved about it. I couldn't believe it sounded as good as he said it did. But he was right. Even sounds better to me playing the CD layer of SACDs than my Sony XA777ES did playing the SACD layer. Dave
The Resolution Audio CD-50 did exactly what you describe for me with the first cd. I distinctly remember thinking, this is what they mean when they say this "sounds like analog." After a couple of years it sounds just as good.
My Linn Genki has a similar quality but I was more prepared for it.